Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation

A statement from Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation President and CEO,
Sharlene Rutherford

Dear supporters of our hospital,

Here we are, six months in, and with each passing season a new reminder of the need for vigilance and caution. By now the world has accepted, come to grips, even, with the knowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic is a seminal event whose global and historical significance is still unfolding. 

Talk about a worldwide rethink on every aspect of our lives! Each sector – public, private, not-for-profit — in every jurisdiction has had to reevaluate policies, procedures, and previous social norms to embrace a future where fluidity and adaptability equate to safety, capacity, and productivity.

Ensuring the maximum impact of our donors’ generous contributions is always top of mind. And so we lead with prudence. Like many Albertans, we recognize the need to make a difficult decision. As a result, we’re embracing a cost optimization strategy that reduces salaries across the board by 20% through the implementation of a four-day workweek effective September 14.

Thank you for your understanding and your patience if it takes us a little longer to respond to your call, email, or text. Most importantly, thank you, always, for your continued support of the Royal Alexandra Hospital and its campus sites so critical to Albertans: Lois Hole Hospital for Women, CK Hui Heart Centre, Eye Institute of Alberta, Orthopedic Surgery Centre, and Access 24/7 Addiction and Mental Health Centre.

We’re in this together. Stay well. Stay safe. Stay generous.

Sharlene Rutherford, President and CEO, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation